The Boston Celtics took care of the enterprise in opposition to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, successful a victory at residence 116-103. With the victory, Boston has a 39-16 file over the 12 months earlier than the celebs break.
The Celtics had been down two key gamers as a result of Jaylen Brown and Jrue Vacation sat due to an harm. This opened a chance for the brand new workforce member, Torrey Craig, who signed with the membership final week following the NBA commerce deadline. And whereas Craig performed nicely, it was Jayson Tatum who paved the way in which in Boston. He had 32 factors to go together with 14 rebounds and seven assists at evening, piloting the Celtics after Wembanyama and firm whereas the Spurs threatened a return within the second interval.
Here’s a narrower abstract of the motion of TD Backyard between Boston and San Antonio, a victory of the Celtics 116-103.
First trimester
Celtics’ head coach Joe Mazzulla went to his new man early, asking Craig to test the match midway by means of the primary. The previous Bull of Chicago caught a fast block and did its greatest to have an effect. For the match, Craig had 6 factors, 1 help and 1 block in 9 minutes of motion.
Tatum was nevertheless the principle story of the Celtics throughout this era. Tatum led the peloton with 14 factors and 6 rebounds within the body, serving to Boston to cross in an advance of 37-19 at the moment.
Wembanyama, in the meantime, had bother defending. He seemed a bit uncomfortable and maybe too impatient. This composed issues for the Spurs, which didn’t do sufficient to fill the hole.
Second trimester
Boston’s offensive cooled within the second, whereas San Antonio discovered some momentum. Wembanyama settled extra, particularly by marking the ball. The large second 12 months man ended the match with 17 factors, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and a pair of blocks. De’Aaron Fox newly acquired led the Spurs with 23 factors for the evening.
Anyway, the Celtics have at all times continued to play with each ends. It was partly due to the good passage and an altruistic sport. In whole, Boston raised 25 assists on 42 fabricated baskets, together with the primary Craig basket in inexperienced.
The Celtics led the 66-47 Spurs at halftime. This has marked the thirteenth time this season, Boston scored 66 factors or extra in first half, however solely the third time since January 1.
Third trimester
San Antonio decreased the hole within the third quarter just a little, thanks partially to just a little scorching shot from Deep leaving the locker room. This coincided with a chilly spell of the Celtics.
Total, the Celts had been the very best workforce from a distance. Boston went 18 for 35 on 3 factors, an uninvited feat. However in comparison with the efficiency of 9 for 39 from San Antonio, it was greater than sufficient.
That mentioned, the Spurs nonetheless managed to exceed Boston 34-27 throughout this era. It lastly put strain on the Celtics and arrange the specter of a return.
Fourth quarter
Once more, San Antonio opened the interval with extra focus than Boston. This allowed the Spurs one other probability to take management of the sport, and the advance decreased to eight factors at a given time.
And as soon as once more, well timed photographs have maintained the Celtics. Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser every had a couple of vital buckets right here in fourth to maintain the spurs at a distance. Pritchard has 10 factors within the evening, whereas Hauser recorded 12.
It was an admirable victory for the Celtics, particularly given the way in which they closed the door when San Antonio threatened a return. Boston now has 8-2 in his final 10 video games and picks up the velocity whereas the final stage of the common season begins.
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This text initially appeared on Celtics Wire: Craig made his debut, the Celtics Roll Spurs of Wembanyama 116-103
